Hood fastener



G. M. GRAHAM HOOD FASTENER May 9, 1933.

Filed March 29, 1930 INVENTOR We M raham Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I GEORGE 111. GRAHAM, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR T KENT-MOORE ORGANI- ZATION, ING, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN HOOD FASTENER Application filed March 29, 1930. Serial No. 439,877.

The present invention pertains to a novel fastener for the hood of a motor vehicle, and the principahobjeot of the inventionls to provide a simple and inexpensive device of this character consisting essentially of a suitably shaped single piece of spring wire. Still another object of the invent-ion is to provide a hood fastener concealed within the hood with the exception of one end that is exposed for operating purposes.

In accordance with these objects, the invention comprises a piece of spring wire having one end rigidly secured to the frame within the hood, the Wire passing through a slot inthe hood and having its outer end exposed and formed so that it may readily be engaged by the finger of the user. The wire is bent in such a manner as to have a downward pressure on the hood to hold the same against the frame or sill. Moreover, the portion of the wire passing through the hood is sloped downwardly and outwardly with respect to the sill, and this sloped portion. further draws the hood against the as usual stop member mounted upon the sill.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a section or perspective view of 3:; the device applied to the motor vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a corresponding vertical section;

Fig. 3 is a section or perspective view of a modified construction;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of another modification; and

Fig. 5 is a detail elevation of one side of the hood, showing a different position of the slot.

Reference to these views will now be had by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In the several figures of the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates the sill or frame of an automobile engageable by a hinged hood member 2 in the usual manner. Upon the sill is mounted a stop 3 adapted for engagement by the inner surface of the hood member 2 also in the usual manner.

The fastener constituting the present invention consists of a single piece of wire 4 having one end secured upon the sill 1 within the hood in any suitable manner, as by means of a clip 5. Near this end, the wire has a spring bend 6 which places the remainder of the wire under tension downwardly toward the sill. Proceeding from the bend, the wire has a downward and outward slope 7 and terminates at its other end in a finger-engaging loop 8.

Adjacent the spring, the hood is formed with a slot 9 extending from the lower edge and having a return downward bend 10. The bend is preferably in strict alignment with the anchored end of the wire transversely of the vehicle. In entering or removing the wire with respect to the return bend 10, it will be evident that the wire may readily be sprung lengthwise of the hood. In the operative position shown more clearly in Fig. 1, the sloped portion 7 is seated in the portion 10 of the slot and obviously bears downwardly against the lower end wall of the portion 10 by reason of the bend 6 in the wire, as previously indicated, whereby the hood is held against the sill. Moreover, the downward and outward sloped portion 7 engaging the bottom end wall of the return bend 10 draws the hood against the stop 3. In this manner the wire, because of its peculiar shape, performs the double function of holding the hood downwardly upon the sill and inwardly against the stop.

Figure 3 shows a modified construction wherein the wire is anchored by means of a separate foot 11 which may be welded or otherwise secured upon the sill. I The member 11 has a socket 12 receiving one end of the spring wire which is bent at 13 and sloped downwardly at 14 in the'manner de-' scribed in connection with Figs. 1 and 2. For the purpose of providing a better outward appearance, the remaining extremity of the wire is fitted with; a separate finger piece 15. It will be seen that the portion of the'device passing-through the hood is the shank 16 of the finger piece, but this shank is disposed as a prolongation of the sloped portion 14 and therefore has the same 100 action as if it were integral with the portion 14. The member 16 in fact is to be considered as a continuation of the portion 14 and the equivalent of an integral extension thereof.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, the spring Wire 20 has its inner end preferably flattened at 21 and secured directly to the sill by means of a stud 22. The wire is formed with a bend 23 and sloping portion 24 similar to the parts 6 and 7 in Figs. 1 and '2. As in Fig. 3, the hood-engaging portion of the device is the shank 26 of a separate finger piece 25. As stated in connection with Fig. 3, the shank has the same action as if it were integral with the sloping portion 24 and is to be considered as the equivalent of an integral portion.

Figure 5 shows amodified construction wherein thedastener is adaptedto be engaged with the hood through the vertical edge rather than the lower edge. The hood 27 therefore has a slot 28 extending horiz'ontally from the vertical edge and having a return bent or downward portion 29 corresponding to the portion 10 described in Figs. 1 and 2.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that various alterations in the details of construction may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim'ise 1. In combination with a supportand a relatively movable closure member adapted to engage the same, a spring metal member havingone end rigidly secured to said support, said closure member having a slot through which a portion of said metal member is adapted to pass, said' slot having a blind end and another end opening at an edge of saidclosure member, said metal member being bent to bear on said closure member in the direction toward said supp 2: In combination with a support anda relatively mqvable closure member adapted wen-ga e the same, a spring metal member having one' end rigidly secured tosaid support, said closure member having a slot through which a portion of said metal memher is adapted to pass, said slot having a hl indend' and another end opening at an edge of said closure member, said portion being sloped toward said supporting memher, said metal member being bent to bear on said" closure member in the direction toward said support.

3: In combination with a support and a relatively movable closuremember adapted teen-gage the same, a spring metal member having one end rigidly secured to saidsup- "b6 port, said "closure member having a slot through which a portion of said metal memher is adapted to pass, said slot having a biind end and another end opening at an edge of said closure member, said portion being sloped toward said supporting member, said metal member being bent to bear on said closure member in the direct-ion toward said support, and a stop on said support between the secured end of said metal member and said closure member and engageable by said closure member.

4. In combination with a support and a relatively movable closure member adapted to engage the same, a spring metal member having one end rigidly secured to said support, said closure member having a return bend slot through which a portion of said metal member is adapted to pass, said slot having a blind end and another end opening at an edge of said closure member said metal member being bent to bear on said closure member in the direction toward said support.

5. In combination with a support and a relatively movable closure member adapted to engage the same, a spring metal member having one end rigidly secured to said support, said closure member having a return bend slot through which a portion of said metal member is adapted. to pass, said slot having a blind end and another end opening at an edge of said closure member said por tion being sloped toward said supporting member, said metal member being bent to bear on said closure member in the direction toward said support.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature;

GEORGE M. GRAHAM. 

